Trent Alexander-Arnold, having decided to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, has been unveiled as a new player for Real Madrid ahead of the Club World Cup.
And part of his introductory press conference in front of the assembled media was conducted in Spanish, which came as a surprise to a lot of people. Liverpool fans might point to that proving he knew what his intentions were for some time, Alexander-Arnold will get plenty of credit at his new club for learning the language.
Language learning app Duolingo, though, took the chance to earn some publicity by aiming a cheeky dig at Alexander-Arnold's Spanish skills. "Thanks for your 1000 day Spanish streak Trent!" it posted on social media.
"This is a day I've been waiting for a long time now," Alexander-Arnold said as he was unveiled. "I'm very proud to be here. It's a dream to be here, but there's a lot of hard work to do. I am excited to get started straight away.
"I think to clear that up, waiting a long time, I mean a few weeks, not years. But no, I am excited to be here. Whether you support Real Madrid or not, you have to respect the history of it. I have always admired clubs, teams, players who win trophies. I saw them win three Champions Leagues in a row and two before that.
"I am no stranger to seeing Real Madrid win trophies. It's an amazing history the club has got, and I'm joining an exciting team with a lot of potential. I am excited to get started, straight to the USA, and we want to win the Club World Cup. I am looking to have a great start."
Alexander-Arnold will simply have the name 'Trent' on the back of his shirt. And the rules in Spain will prevent the 26-year-old from having the number 66 on his back — he will instead wear number 12 (six plus six).
"Yeah, it's an easy explanation," Alexander-Arnold said when he was asked about the name change. "I always found when I travel to Europe, the name situation confuses people.
"Double barrel... people call me Alexander or Arnold or Trent, so let's make it simple, be known as Trent. That's my name, so I guess that is what people will call me."
Explaining his decision to leave Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold insisted that Jude Bellingham hadn't played a part. The allure of Real Madrid, he said, was the only thing that could have convinced him to leave Anfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold during his unveiling as a new player of Real Madrid.
Trent Alexander-Arnold during his unveiling as a new player of Real Madrid. (Image: Diego Souto/Getty Images)
"You're joining a team like this, it's hard to win [the Ballon d'Or] with these superstars, but it's exciting," Alexander-Arnold said. "I've admired these, played against them, so to be with them rather than against them will be good.
"It's such a contrast of emotions (leaving Liverpool); different ends of the scale. I've known it was coming to an end and it was always going to be emotional but I went out in a way I was happy about: the send-off I got, the fans were outstanding, I couldn't say a bad word.
"Speaking to the players, manager, the owners, they showed amazing support and were a huge help. The owners were very warm and welcoming and thanked me for the service, wished me well on my journey, and said I am always welcome back, so to have those words spoken was amazing. I was sent off in the perfect way.
"I mean, to be honest, it was never a question of where it was always to go or not. I always knew, for me, and I have known for a long time, is that if I was to ever leave Liverpool, it would be for Real Madrid.
"They were the only club for me, and then it gets to a point where you have to make a decision to go or stay. It wasn't easy, not going to say it was, I'd been there so long and a part of it, but eventually you have to make a decision and I have made the right one in my mind and I am excited."